The Cat in the Hat still impresses 20 years later

When you think of Dr. Seuss’ movies, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe it’s the old cartoon movies, maybe it’s the animated Lorax starring actor Danny Devito. For many people, however, the first movie to strike your mind is the 2003 cult classic film The Cat in the Hat with renowned actor Mike Myers.
The Cat in the Hat has been and will continue to be one of the most hated films. Its reputation is tainted with hate and negative reviews, and its ratings are just as dismal, receiving a weak 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4/10 on IMDB. It’s no secret that it was received by the public and critics alike as a complete abomination. Despite this, however, it continues to stay remembered by audiences, no matter how hard people try to forget it.
The best way to explain this film is with the word “whiplash”. The Cat in the Hat has a definitive plot, as it follows the story of two children, Conrad (Spencer Breslin) and Sally (Dakota Fanning) struggling to find relief from their boredom on a long summer day in the house while their mom is at work. Then comes the Cat, played by Mike Myers, to help the kids have some fun. So far so good, until the plot goes entirely sideways; cue the “whiplash”. The next ~45 minutes of the movie are some of the most confusing, jumbled, and arbitrary scenes ever to hit Hollywood.
The only thing the movie’s really got going for it is that it’s funny. Despite public opinion, it is a funny movie. Maybe not so much to kids, as the movie is riddled with barely hidden adult humor. However, to the average adult, the jokes wouldn’t go over their head and they can find the actual humor in it.
The Cat in the Hat ultimately just lacked clear direction. It did a poor job of telling the classic Seuss story. To make matters worse, it didn’t make any sense to audiences, hence why it received such horrendous ratings and only made a mere 133.9 million dollars at the box office compared to its 109 million dollar budget. If that isn’t enough salt in the wound, The Cat in the Hat has also appeared on several websites in ‘Worst Movies of all Time’ lists. The film is also said to be the reason for Suess’s widow Audrey Geisel has forbidden any more live adaptations of her late husband’s work.
In spite of all of the slander and animosity the film receives, it has gathered a cult following of people who enjoy the movie (including the authors of this review Logistically, the movie was a disaster, but it still holds a special place in many people’s hearts, which is why The Bengal’s Purr is granting The Cat in the Hat a 3/5.
On a more positive note, The Cat in the Hat celebrated its 20th anniversary on November 21, 2023. After being in the light for two decades, it’s still one of the most regrettable roles Mike Myers has ever played.